OREANDA-NEWS. June 27, 2011. Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced its participation in the Energy Systems Network (ESN), a non-profit organization that is taking the lead in advancing diverse Smart Community initiatives in the U.S.A.. Mr. Norio Sasaki, Toshiba’s President and CEO will spearhead the company’s involvement in ESN, and was elected to the NPO’s board of directors.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, ESN is an industry-driven organization focused on realizing the potential of next generation clean energy technologies and the Smart Community concept through Indiana-based projects. ESN already has over 30 members in the U.S., Europe and Japan – leading enterprises, universities and other organizations with expertise ranging across power generation, electric vehicles (EV), renewable energy sources and energy control and supervisory technologies.

The flagship verification and commercial projects promoted by ESN have a strong emphasis on business and will fully exploit industry-leading technologies in drive systems for EV, renewable energy sources, bio fuels, rechargeable batteries and smart meters. Participation in ESN will allow Toshiba to hone its expertise in the Smart Community and to expand its presence in related businesses in North America. Toshiba will also promote collaboration with other project participants, toward realizing innovative business models that advance Smart Community development and promotion.

Toshiba plans to participate in some of ESN’s leading projects:
A project to evaluate real-world infrastructure for EV, including diagnosis of the residential life of rechargeable batteries, and to point the way to the future of urban commuting.
A project to develop and establish an industry standard interface for rechargeable batteries for smart grids.
 A project to evaluate turning malls into Ecomalls, environmentally friendly commercial hubs.

Toshiba sees smart grids and the overarching Smart Community concept as an essential approach to clean technologies that offer much more efficient power generation and delivery, more efficient power management and consumption, and as the way forward to environmentally friendly communities offering greater amenity. The Company is already participating in Smart Grid verification projects in the U.S., including one in New Mexico sponsored by Japan’s NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Corporation). By joining ESN, Toshiba will further enhance its level of commitment and cultivate the Smart Community market in North America.

Toshiba positions the Smart Community Business as a priority growth area where it aims to achieve sales of 900 billion yen in FY2015.

Outline of ESN:

1. President and CEO: Paul Mitchell
2. Established: April, 2009
3. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana
4.Member companies: Duke Energy Corporation (USA), AECOM Technology Corporation (USA), Simon Property Group, Inc. (USA), THINK (Norway), ITOCHU Corporation (Japan), etc.
5. Board member companies: Duke Energy Corporation (USA), Rocky Mountain Institute (USA), Ener1, Inc. (USA), ITOCHU Corporation (Japan), Purdue University (USA), et.al.
6. Main operations: Project development of energy engineering division in the Indiana State; launching collaboration projects by ESN members; coordinating activities between member companies/organizations.